Thomas Bangalter, one half of Daft Punk, said he's "not really interested" in the creative use of artificial intelligence. His comments land as AI-generated music becomes more common on streaming platforms and charts, forcing artists and labels to decide what role machines should play in making art.
Bangalter on why AI misses the point
During a recorded interview with Yana Peel at Art Basel, Bangalter said his distance from AI comes from how he experiences creation. "My relationship to creation and my relationship to art is mostly happening at a deeper level, which does not express itself through words."
He explained that the core of his process isn't intellectual. "The most interesting part of the creative process is happening not at all on an intellectual level. Where you're actually going through a process which is about understanding your feelings."
Bangalter used the interview itself to illustrate the gap. "I like this idea when I was taking some time to answer you that I'm actually at a loss of words because it's exactly that thing that I'm trying to feel."
AI, by contrast, works on algorithms and language prompts. It can't access the wordless, feeling-driven space Bangalter describes.
The comments come as alleged AI-generated music appears in global charts and streaming algorithms. Generative Art tools have made it possible for anyone to produce tracks with prompts, but Bangalter argues the resulting work is missing what he considers the core of creativity.
Life after Daft Punk
Bangalter has focused on solo work since 2022 and ruled out a Daft Punk reunion. His latest album, Mirage: Ballet for 16 Dancers, was released on June 5th.
He also explained a shift in his musical practice. "After Daft Punk, I almost took the resolution of saying, 'I don't want to program things.' It's a very tedious means of construction."
Why this matters for creatives
For people working in creative fields, Bangalter's position is a counterpoint to the push for AI tools in music and art. His argument isn't about technical capability - it's about what the creative process is for. He locates the core of art in feeling, not in algorithmic output.
For creatives weighing whether to adopt these tools, AI for Creatives resources offer practical guidance - but Bangalter's position is a reminder that the technology's limits may be as important as its capabilities.
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